Nano lawsuit settlement

A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit over the iPod nano, an official website notes. The suit, filed through the California Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles, alleges that the design of the first-generation Nano results in an unusual amount of scratching, despite ordinary use. Apple has continued to deny any wrongdoing, but is nevertheless said to have agreed to a settlement in order to avoid further court costs.

A $22.5 million fund has been set up to pay settlement claims and costs. To file a claim, people must have bought a new first-gen Nano in the US, for their own use; players must also be uncoated, a fact verified by checking the serial number. A base of $15 is being awarded to people who received a free slip case from Apple, while $25 is being awarded to people who did not. These amounts can increase by up to 150 percent however, depending on how much of the fund goes unclaimed.

Claimants must fill out and mail a claim form before June 10th to receive a payment, and the settlement must still be approved in a court hearing scheduled for April 28th. If plaintiff or defendant lawyers make appeals, the distribution of money could be delayed.

by MacNN Staff